
Issue No 65		04 August 2000

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News

Redback clerks buck casual trend

By Noel Hester

Clerks in South Australia - members of the ASU - have won a significant victory for casual workers by winning the right to become permanent employees if they have been in regular and systematic employment for 12 months.

ASU Industrial Officer Wendy Wakefield says this right to access full time or part time employment now comes independent of the agreement of the employer.

'Many clerks in South Australia have been employed as casuals but have been working regularly. There are people working on a regular roster, working 20 hours or more who are still seen as casuals.'

'These workers - usually women - don't ask to be made permanent part-timers because they're scared and can't speak up in workplaces or aren't asked by the employer.'

'This decision injects some security into a worker's life after 12 months as a casual.'

The South Australian Commission found that they were 'concerned for those casual employees who would prefer to be weekly hired employees but who are unable to articulate that position or unwilling to do so for fear of possible reprisal.'

The Commission stated it would be possible to find women employed as casuals that suffer from a form of indirect discrimination. Access to part time or full time employment may help to prevent and eliminate discrimination in employment and 'encourage and assist employees to balance their work and family responsibilities.'

'It is in the public interest that those employees who have worked for at least 12 months on a regular and on going basis should have their service and their commitment recognized.'

After 12 months ongoing and regular employment an employee can elect to become full time or part time. At any later time a worker can give the employer 4 weeks notice to elect to become full time or part time.

Wendy Wakefield says the ASU is looking to flow this right into other awards.

'Other unions around the country will also want to look at it,' she said.

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Issue 65 contents

Interview: Hobart Perspective
Having held senior positions in both wings of the labour movement, Martin Ferguson went to Hobart with more perspective than most. He shares a bit of it with Workers Online.

Politics: Love-in In a Cold Climate
In our exclusive campaign diary we bring you the sights, sounds and smells of the ALP's Hobart conference.

Unions: Passion Plays
Canadian union campaigner Sharon Costello outlines how British Columbia nurses are using the arts to activate their membership base.

International: Spanish Telecom Builds Employee Portal
The prospect of on-line access for unions to company employees was outlined to Union Network International by the head of Spanish Telecommunications giant. Telefonica.

History: Husky Girls and the Female Psyche
When women entered the workforce during World War Two their male supervisors were given these simple tips to get the most out of them.

Satire: Communism Vindicated by Successful Collective Meeting
Tonight's meeting of the Marxism-Leninism Now Collective demonstrated the continuing relevance and ultimate success of communist principles, according to the Collective's Secretary, George Addison, 44.

Review: Following the Money
A new book looks at the role the bosses have played in the changing industrial relations framework.

» Chaudhry, Burrow Discuss Strengthening Unions' Stand

» Shopping Centres' 'Pay to Work' Plan

» Labor's IR Platform: Winding Back Reith

» Redback clerks buck casual trend

» No Joy in Ministerial Mind Slip

» Parlt House Cleaners' Fight Gets Dirty

» Rural Safety Lapses' Massive Cost

» 5000 Students Back the Hands that Feed Them

» Mobile Phones Health Warning

» Bank Staff Fight Fruitpicking Future

» No Science in CSIRO Sell-Down

» Hotel Workers Target Big Chains

» Wheels of Justice Slow as Reporters Walk

» Free Political Economy Classes for Activists

» APHEDA plans Asian and Middle Eastern tours

» The Soapbox

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» In defence of coffee

» Rail commuter warns pollies

» We want a bigger slice of pie

» Latham should watch the Footy Show

» Editor bagged

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